Ms. Mary Louise McGee's Obituary
Mary Louise was born in the little town of Iowa, Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish on February 03, 1939, to Mr. Hosea Taylor and Mrs. Lillian Taylor (Charles). After the untimely death of her mother at 6 months of age, she went to live with her Maternal Grandmother. After her Grandmother’s death at age six, she moved to San Bernardino, California and was raised, nurtured and loved by her maternal Aunt, Annie Hughes, for the remainder of her childhood. She grew up in California and at age 26, she met a Southern man from Port Arthur, Texas named Leroy Joseph McGee. They courted and later married and moved to Port Arthur, and from this union bore 4 beautiful children, Laronda, LaTasha, Joseph and Aqua. Mary spent most of her young adult years, caring for the elderly, working as a NA (Nursing Assistant) at Cresthaven Nursing Home, but after her last child was born and she divorced, she concentrated solely on raising her children. After her children had gotten older and a couple left home, Mary decided to go back to school to get her GED at 51. Later she began working for Deluxe Drycleaning, and she worked there until 2005 when she retired at age 66. Mary gave her heart to Jesus Christ later in life and a wonderful change begin to happen from the inside out. She was a faithful member of New St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Port Arthur for many years, until she was displaced after Hurricane Rita. She then moved to Houston, Texas, where she became a member of The Word of His Grace Church and served very faithfully on the Mother’s Board and Mother’s prayer line for 12 years. Just recently she joined Evangelist Temple C.O.G.I.C. Under the leadership of Administrative Pastor Terrence Kirk, where she served faithfully until her health declined. Mary was a quiet spirit, but her presence and influence was larger than life. She was known for dressing to a “Tee” and for the way she carried herself. She was often described as “regal” and “royal” “Mary was a very good cook, a faithful friend, a loving mother and grandmother, a cheerful giver, and a very sweet and caring person. She was always striving to do better and be better, and to know God in a deeper way.
The song she would often sing during testimony service was “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and her favorite saying was “I may not be what I want to be, but I THANK GOD I’m not what I use to be.”
She is preceded in death by her mother, Mrs. Lillian Charles Taylor; her father, Mr. Hosea Taylor; her Aunt (Mama) Ms. Annie Hughes; and her Ex-Husband and very good friend, Mr. Leroy Joseph McGee.
She is survived by her oldest daughter, Laronda Jo Pyles (Henry Lewis); her second oldest daughter, LaTasha Ann Watson (Julice); her only son, Joseph LaRoy McGee (Sheila) and her baby daughter and caretaker of 7 years, Aqua Monique McGee; and a very special friend of 40 plus years, Mrs. Paula Singleton; grandchildren, Jeremy DeAndre’ Pyles “JD” (26); Chantene’ Nicole McDonald “Nay Nay” (25); Henry Lewis Pyles, Jr. “LJ” (19) and Sabrina Mary McGee “Beanie” (6 months); and a host of extended family and friends, and former and current church members.
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